Spring.



J.H.ATH0NS SPRING. APPLICATION FILED FBZS, 1912.

1912979575 Patented Aug. 18, 19m

TED sTATEs PATENT buuren.

JOSEPH H. ATHONS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TIO CAMBRIAbSIERINGnr COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OFCALIFORNIA.

SPRING.

Laumer.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 26, 1912. Serial N o. 679,813.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. ATHoNs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State ofCalifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Springs, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in springs and has particularrelation to leaf springs which are adaptable for use upon various kindsof vehicles and especially upon automobiles.

It is an object of the invention to provide a clamping and holding meansfor the central portion of the leaf springwhich will tend to spread thecrystallizing area of the spring to a considerable extent..

It is also an object of the invention to provide a binding and clampingmeans for the leaves of a leaf spring which will hold the said leaves inproper relation to each other at all times and which will prevent thecrystallizing of the metal of the springs at the point where the springmust support the weight placed upon it.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure1 is a side elevation of a spring constructed in accordance with thisinvention and applied to the framing of an automobile. Fig. 2 is anenlarged side elevation of the central portion of said spring. Fig. 3 isa bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional viewtaken upon the line 1-11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a similar transversesectional view but showing a bolt passed through the leaves of thespring for positioning' them with respect to each other. l

The details and features of the invention will now be more particularlydescribed, reference being had to the saidl drawing in which 10indicates the leaf spring and 1l a plate applied thereto while 12indicates clips for securing the said plate 11 upon the lspring. Theleaves of the spring are constructed in any usual or ordinary manner,one leaf being made the full length of the spring while the others aresuccessively `shortened toward the center of the spring. lleretofore ithas been customary to secure such springs centrally to an axle or aportion of a vehicle frame by means of clips or bolts which engage'thespring near the central part thereof.

As is well known the vibrations of the springs tend to crystallize themat br near the point where they are gripped together and thus thesprings frequently break at the point where they rest. By the presentinvention the leaves of the spring are tightly clamped and held togetherat points at a distance from and upon either side of the supportingpoint, so that the area which is 4liable to crystallize from thevibrations of the spring, is thus spread to a considerable degree. rlhecrystallization of the metal is thus not centralized at the point ofgreatest danger and where the springs usually break. In carrying outthis feature of the invention a strong plate 11 of suitable length isapplied to one side of the spring, preferably to the outer bowed sidethereof as shown in the drawing, the ends of said plate being providedwith projecting portions 13 through which the ends of the securing clips12.1nay be inserted and secured by means of suitable nuts 14. 'Ihe plateand clips 12 are designed to be a part of the spring at all times and inaddition to preventing the central crystallization of the leavesthereof, also act as a binder and holdin means for the leaves inshipment and at al times before and after the spring is applied u on avehicle.

The leaves may eac be provided with central bosses 15 adapted to beformed by indenting the metal of the leaves centrally, one boss fittinginto the indentation of the next as clearly shown in Fig. 4. In thismanner all the leaves are held from slipping with respect to each other.'The plate 11 is usually also formed with a central lug or detent 16,which is adapted to engage a recess formed in the bar 17 of the vehicleframe, to which t-he said spring is secured.

The usual securing clips 18 are employed for holding a spring to theframe, just as in the case of other springs which are not provided withthe said strengthening and clamping plate 11. If preferred the leaves ofthe spring and the plate 11 may be perfor-ated and a bolt 19 passedthrough all of them as shown in Fig. 5 for holding the parts together.

In using automobile springs of this character it has been common to nickor bend the edges of the shorter leaves near their ends,

Iin such a way as to prevent them moving laterallyv upon the longerleaves. By the use of the elongated plate 11 and the binding clips 12set well outwardly on opporatentea angie, rara.

site sides of the center of the spring` it is not necessary to use suchnicks or holding flanges upon any of the leaves of the spring. However,it is sometimes desirable to place clips Q0 on the spring near the outerends spring, apertured extensions on each side of said saddle adjacentits ends and extending beyond the sides of the springs, threaded clipsadapted to embrace said springs and extend through the apertures in saidsaddle, nuts on said clips to perinanently bind the saddle and springstogether, and separate clips encompassing the spring leaves and engagedwith the axle through the apertures therein,v said last named clipsextending on opposite sides of the saddle out of engagement therewith. i

In Witness that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto subscribed mynalne this 19th day of February, 1912.

JOSEPH H. ATI-IONS. l/Vitnesses:

E. STADLMAN, EARLE R. PoLLARD.

